Reduced-pressure box



Dec. 3, 1968 M, WEEE-:Ri 3,414,160

REDUCED- PRES SURE BOX Filed April 24. 1967 United States Patent O3,414,160 REDUCED-PRESSURE BOX Michel Weber, Rue Alphonse Bordereau 77,Chelles, France Filed Apr. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 633,079 Claims priority,applicltigrsloFrance, Apr. 26, 1966,

s claims. (ci. 22o- 44) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present inventionrelates to a reduced-pressure box, that is to say to a box in which apartial vacuum can be created at the moment when the cover is placed inposition, and which comprises a certain number of improvements withrespect to comparable boxes of the prior art.

The aim of this invention is to endow such boxes with a certain numberof features which can be utilized separately but which secure themaximum number of advantages when they are utilized in combination.

In accordance with one of the features referred to, the cover is piercedby at least one hole against which is applied a flexible diaphragmforming a check-valve whereby the air which is present inside the boxcan be exhausted from the interior of the box to the surroundingatmosphere when a reciprocating motion is imparted to the box cover, theedge of which serves as a virtual hinge.

In order to facilitate the reciprocating motion referred to, the portionwhich forms a hinge is advantageously thinned and the cover is outwardlybulgedin such a manner as to permit a certain amount of deflection.

In order to ensure perfect air-tightness of the cover, the inventionadditionally makes provision for the fact that the peripheral portion orflange which is intended to fit over the rim of the box has across-section of greater thickness than that of the remainder of saidcover and can even attain a thickness which is five or six timesgreater. In this case, the initial fitting of the cover over the box iscarried out in the hot state immediately after delivery from theformingmold, with the result that the very substantial shrinkage of thethick peripheral portion of the cover which takes place at the time ofcooling causes the cover to be very powerfully applied against the sidewall of the box, thereby resulting in perfect airtightness during use.

The hole or holes of the cover can be formed in a central boss whichprojects inwardly from said cover and the flexible diaphragm can be asimple disc tted with a central element constituting a press-buttonwhich is forcibly inserted in a corresponding hole formed in said boss.

In order to faciiltate the positioning of the cover on the box, there ispreferably formed on said cover an internal projecting portion ofcylindrical shape which is concentric with the cover flange proper andthe extremity of which forms a cam for the purpose of centering thecover against the rim of the box. Moreover, the base of the outer angeof the cover will preferably be chamfered in order to take part in theguiding action.

Further properties and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description of one Patented Dec. 3, 1968 'ice exampleof execution which is given without implied limitation, reference beingmade to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a reduced-pressure box according tothe invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail view on a larger scale and in radial cross-sectionshowing the flange of a cover having a bulged cross-sectionalconguration.

In the example which is illustrated, the cover 1 is outwardly bulged andis joined to the flange 2 by means of a zone 3 of reduced thicknesswhich is intended to form a hinge. The turned-down edge or flange 2 isprovided at its base with a chamfered portion 4 and in its internal wallwith a small groove 5 which is intended to accommodate a rib 6 formed onthe rim 7 of the box body 8.

At a distance from the internal wall of the flange which is slightlygreater than the thickness of the rim 7, the cover 1 is provided with aprojecting internal cylindrical portion 9 having a depth which isgreater than that of the outer flange 2 and the extremity 10 of which ischamfered so as to form a cam by cooperating with the sloping section 11of the box body 8.

The cover 1 is provided at its center with a cup-shaped boss, therebeing formed in the base 13 of Said boss a central hole 14 and radialslots 15. A circular rubber diaphragm 16 is applied against said base 13and is fitted with a central press-button 17 which is intended to litinside the hole 14. There can be mounted over the cup 12 a cap 18 whichis pierced by air holes 19 and provided with a small peripheral rib 20which is adapted to engage in a corresponding groove 21 of the internalside Wall of the cup 12.

It is apparent that the positioning of the cover 1 which has just beendescribed is greatly facilitated on the one hand by virtue of theprojecting portion 9 and its extremity 10 which performs the function ofa cam by cooperating with the sloping section 11 of the box body and, onthe other hand, by virtue of the chamfered edge 4 of the base of theouter flange 2.

The pumping motion which is produced by the cover is carried out veryreadily by virtue of the reduced thickness of the zone 3 whichconstitutes a virtual hinge and thelyalve system is so designed as topermit of easy disassembly and cleaning.

Inthe example of FIG. 2, there is shown a portion of cover 1 in whichthe thickness of the flange is considerably greater than that of the topwall of said cover. A cover of this type which has initially been fittedover the box in the hot state is closely applied against the walls ofthe box at the time of cooling as a result of the greater degree ofshrinkage of its flange 2, thereby ensuring perfect airtightness.

As will be readily understood, the invention is not limited in any senseto the constructional details which have been illustrated or describedand which have been given solely by way of example. It accordinglyfollows in particular that the cross-section of the cover flange couldhave any shape and could be rectangular, for example.

What I claim is:

1. A vacuum container of the type having an open mouth delimited by aperipheral rim, a cover provided with a central opening and adapted tobe set on said rim in an air-tight way, and to be imparted an inwardlydirected motion whereby providing exhaust of air from the interior ofthe container, and a flexible diaphragm fixed to said cover .and adaptedto close said opening for preventing entrance of air into saidcontainer, said cover being further provided with a central removablecap having at least one hole and mounted over said diaphragm wherebyprotecting said diaphragm, and allowing air to escape through said holeand allowing a thrust to be exerted on said cap for imparting saidinwardly directed motion to said cover.

2. A container as in claim 1 wherein said cover comprises an innerprojecting peripheral portion and an outer projecting peripheral portiondelimiting an annular groove and adapted to be set over said rim of saidcontainer, said inner portion and said outer portion being substantiallyparallel and said outer portion having a cross-sec tion of much greaterthickness than that of the remainder of said cover whereby permittingthe initial iitting of said cover over said edge in the hot stateimmediately after molding and ensuring a perfect air tightness aftercooling through a substantial shrinkage of 'said thicker outerperipheral portion.

3. A container as in claim 2 wherein said inner projecting peripheralportion is of a substantially cylindrical shape with a slightlydecreasing section and said outer projecting portion is of a smallerheight than said inner portion and comprises a locking part cooperatingwith a corresponding part of said container rim.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,630,237 3/1953 Rosenl'of 220-242,772,018 11/1956 Weiss 2|20-44 2,916,173 12/ 1959 Klingler 220-44 X3,055,536 8/1962 Dieny 220-44 FOREIGN PATENTS 843,804 7/1952 Germany.1,038,888 9/1958 Germany.

GEORGE E. LOWRANCE, Primary Examiner.

